Chapter Thirteen
**In the GM's Office**
In the GM's office, Ella perched on her chair while Shaun paced back and forth, clearly agitated.
"How am I supposed to compete with Ethan?" he exclaimed.
"Shaun, let's be real. Ethan is just a personal assistant; you're the CEO. You've already won this game," she replied, the calmness in her voice contrasting with Shaun's anxiety.
"I don't see it that way at all. Mae was totally into me, and now she's getting married to him next week. Why does everyone always prefer him?" he asked, frustration creeping into his tone.
"Well, for starters, he's hardworking—unlike you. Do you even realize how many crucial business proposals, meetings, and conferences you've missed? Ethan stepped in when you didn't. Sure, he's just a personal assistant, but let's not kid ourselves; he's much more than that. He's a big reason this company is still standing after the fallout from your parents' divorce. If you want to outdo him, you need to start acting like a CEO instead of an arrogant rich kid," she replied firmly.
"Just because I asked for your help doesn't give you the right to talk to me like that," Shaun retorted.
"I apologize, Mr. Shaun," Ella said softly.
"What can I do about Ethan?" he asked, his tone shifting back to desperation.
"It's too late for Mae," she retorted.
"Why?" he demanded.
"Listen, in all my years of working with Ethan, he hasn't dated since his relationship with Kelly ended when she proposed to him. Now, after just a week with Mae, he's rushing to marriage. Doesn't that raise a few eyebrows?"
"So...?" he asked, trying to interrupt her.
"Ethan despises marriage, yet he's about to tie the knot with Mae next week. Shouldn't that tell you something?" she inquired.
"I don't follow you," he replied.
"Think about it, Shaun. Ethan needs Mae for something. You know how he is—when he sets his eyes on something, he won't stop until he gets it," she pointed out.
"So, what you're saying is the plan has fallen apart?"
"Yes, but if we can persuade Ethan to divorce Mae after they get married, our original plan could still work," she said with determination.
"So we just need to seduce Ethan out of his marriage?" he asked, a sinister smile creeping across his face.
"It's not going to be an easy task, though," Ella cautioned.
"Leave that to me," Shaun declared with a smirk.
"Okay, sir," Ella replied, half-concerned, half-intrigued.
"I'm going to make Ethan bow down to me," he said, confidence radiating from him.
---
**The Wedding Day**
The following Monday, at the courthouse, a crowd gathered in anticipation of the wedding. Mae entered on Ethan's arm, looking every bit the radiant bride. The ceremony commenced, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement.
After exchanging vows, the guests made their way to the RX Hotel for the reception in the private grand hall.
As the guests mingled, a man and woman walked in with a teenage girl. The man wore a sleek black suit and a silver watch, exuding an air of sophistication. He was in his early forties, with thick eyebrows and sharp features. Beside him, the woman dazzled in a royal blue lace dress, her auburn locks falling in lovely curls. Their daughter, a striking young woman in a matching blue ball gown, completed the trio with elegance.
Mae was deep in conversation with Chairman Owen when she noticed her relatives approaching.
"Mae!" The teenager called out.
"Camilla?" Mae asked, looking in their direction.
"Mae, are you okay?" Chairman Owen inquired, sensing her distraction.
"Can you excuse me for a moment?" Mae asked hurriedly.
"Of course," he replied, stepping back.
"Oh my God!" Mae exclaimed upon seeing her family.
"Mae!" the girl cried, enveloping her in a warm hug.
"Camilla, it's so good to see you! Gosh, you've grown," Mae said, stepping back to admire her cousin.
"You don't visit anymore," Camilla lamented.
"I've been swamped with work and... other things," Mae admitted.
"Where's your handsome groom? Should I take you back to the courthouse for a divorce?" Camilla jokes.
"You haven't changed a bit!" Mae laughed.
"Hi Mae!" her aunt greeted with warmth.
"Mom! I'm so glad you made it," Mae said, embracing her.
"I'm so proud of you, Mae," her mother beamed.
"I love you, Mom," Mae replied.
"I love you too, my child," her mother said, tears welling in her eyes.
"I feel left out here," her father chimed in, eliciting a chuckle from Mae.
"I love you too, Dad," she said, embracing him tightly.
"Why is no one talking about how handsome Mae's husband looks?" Camilla asked, mid-conversation.
"If she's marrying him, he better at least be decent-looking," her aunt added.
"Camilla, please don't embarrass me in front of my husband," Mae begged.
"I'll try," Camilla agreed with a mischievous grin.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, Michael and Mr. Wilson were in discussion when Mrs. Wilson spotted Mae with her family.
"Darling, what are Kate and her family doing here?" his wife asked, puzzled.
"Emily, what do you mean?" Mr. Wilson replied, irritation starting to show.
"Isn't that Mae talking with Kate?" she pointed out.
"What is Kate doing here?" Mr. Wilson's voice darkened.
"Dad, let's not ruin Mae's special day," Michael interjected, trying to defuse the situation.
"I agreed to this marriage, not to Kate re-entering our lives," Mr. Wilson said, marching toward Mae's direction.
"Dad, wait!" Michael called out as he and Emily followed closely behind.
Back with Mae, her family expressed concern.
"Why the rush to get married?" Kate questioned.
"I've buried myself in work for years. I want to break that cycle," Mae explained.
"Are you going to stop working?" Kate continued.
"Yes," Mae affirmed.
"You must really love him if you're willing to leave your job behind," Kate observed.
"It was my life. Now, I'm starting anew with Ethan," Mae responded confidently.
"I wish you all the happiness in the world, my darling," Kate said as Mae noticed her father approaching.
"Camilla!" Mae called.
"Yes, Mae?" Camilla responded.
"Go say hi to Kelly over there; she'll show you where the groom is," Mae instructed, pointing her cousin in the right direction.
"Okay!" Camilla replied, scampering off.
"Is something wrong?" Kate asked, noticing Mae's anxious demeanor.
"My father's coming this way, and he's with Emily and Michael," Mae informed her.
"I told you inviting us was a bad idea," Kate warned.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll handle him," Mae assured her as Mr. Wilson stopped next to her.
"To my office, right now. Bring them along," Mr. Wilson commanded, striding purposefully from the hall.
"Let's just see what he wants," Mae suggested.
"Caleb wants to talk to us," Kate remarked, looking at her husband.
"I hope he doesn't stir up any trouble," he responded.
"He wouldn't dare," Mae replied defiantly.
"Let's go," Kate said, leading the way.
When Camilla arrived at the table where Kelly was sitting, she wrapped her arms around her from behind.
"Did my favorite blogger miss me?" Camilla teased, a grin spreading across her face.
Kelly turned around, surprised. "Camilla? Is that you?"
"Of course it is! I can tell you really missed me!" Camilla replied, beaming.
"I've missed you too!" Kelly said, returning the hug warmly.
"Mae told me you're going to introduce me to the guy she married," Camilla added excitedly.
"Oh, you mean Ethan?" Kelly asked.
"Yeah, that's the one!" Camilla said.
"Okay, let's go meet him!" Kelly said as she stood up.
"Is he cute?" Camilla inquired curiously.
"That's for you to decide," Kelly said with a chuckle, pulling Camilla along towards Ethan.
When they arrived, Ethan was chatting with his Uncle Rodríguez.
"Sorry to interrupt, but someone wants to meet you!" Kelly called out.
Rodríguez nodded and stepped away.
"So, who's the pretty girl?" Ethan asked, eyeing Camilla.
"This lovely lady is your beautiful sister-in-law, Camilla," Kelly replied, noticing Camilla was momentarily lost in Ethan's good looks.
"She's Mae's sister, right?" Ethan clarified.
"Yep, that's right!" Kelly said.
"Hi, Camilla," Ethan said with a friendly smile.
"Marry me!" Camilla blurted out, prompting a laugh from Kelly.
"Uh, I just married your sister," Ethan replied, a bit perplexed.
"You can always divorce her," Camilla said playfully.
"Do you really want your sister to be heartbroken?" Ethan asked with a raised eyebrow.
"C'mon, Mae can find another guy by tomorrow. She's got the looks and the charm," Camilla replied confidently.
"Thanks for the offer, Camilla, but I'm happily married and definitely not leaving your sister," Ethan said firmly.
"Just know I'm here if you change your mind," Camilla winked.
"Did you tell her to say that?" Ethan looked at Kelly knowingly.
"No, but I kind of wish I had," Kelly said with a grin.
"Have you seen Mae?" Ethan asked, a hint of worry in his voice.
"A fellow can't stay away from his wife for long, huh?" Kelly teased.
"It's not that! She's on medication, and I need to take her home to rest," Ethan explained quickly.
"What's going on with her?" Kelly asked, concern rising.
"She has an anxiety disorder," Ethan whispered, glancing around.
"We need to find her," Kelly said urgently.
"Camilla, have you seen Mae?" Ethan pressed.
"She went to her dad's office with our parents," Camilla replied, trying to be helpful.
"Kelly, please stay here and keep an eye on Camilla. I need to go stop our parents from making Mae worse," Ethan said before rushing out of the hall.
"Mae, please stay strong," Kelly said, looking up towards the heavens with worry.